Despite the fact that in the past years, an integrated policy for the development of the creative industries sector has been absent, the Cultural Services still managed to foster, on a rather vertical approach, the domain of creative industries through various programmes of the respective arts’ sectors.

Today, at the heart of the creative economy in Cyprus there are those particular industries that lie at the crossroads of arts, culture, business, and technology and have a strong focus and drive towards cultural tourism and heritage, museums and libraries, hobbies, sports, and outdoor activities.

The potentially crucial role of the creative industries within the island’s touristic economic (representing 21.4% of GDP in 2016) is evident in the latest Smart Specialization Strategy for Cyprus where the until recently unexplored capacity for growth is been highlighted.

Nevertheless in order for this goal to be fulfilled a direct response to the industry’s apparent skills needs is required, by i. target training at skills gaps (e.g. digital) so that those working in the industry remain employable through reskilling and upskilling, ii. developing inclusive vocational training opportunities and relevant degree-level learning to improve diversity and work-readiness, and iii. strengthening course and trainer accreditation to ensure that all learning and skills development meets industry needs.

The most recent literature available indicates that despite the improvements to the institutional framework, third country migrant workers remain in ‘a vulnerable position. Moreover, it is now recognised that the categories of ‘vulnerable groups’ in employment concerning the island include EU workers, Turkish-Cypriots, the Roma as well workers of Asian origin: wages, particularly for the last two groups are well below the minimum fixed for sectors where collective agreements are in force or for sectors where the minimum wage rule applies.